RICHMOND, VA – The Distilled Spirits Council today commended Virginia Delegate Bob Purkey for filing legislation that would ban open containers of alcohol in vehicles. House Bill 27 will be considered during the 2008 regular session beginning January 9.

“Laws that remove open containers of alcohol from vehicles are important tools states can use to crack down on drunk driving in their communities,” said Council Vice President David Wojnar, whose organization has aggressively supported laws to combat all forms of alcohol abuse in states across the country. “We applaud Delegate Purkey’s effort to place this bill on the agenda for 2008 and urge its swift passage when considered by the full Legislature.”

H.B. 27 prohibits the possession of any open container of alcohol in the passenger area of a motor vehicle. Currently, 40 states and the District of Columbia ban open containers of alcohol in motor vehicles. The Virginia bill includes exceptions for passengers in RVs, buses and limousines.

Wojnar pointed out that the distilled spirits industry has a long history of working with communities nationwide to combat drunk driving. He cited as examples the work of The Century Council, a not-for-profit organization funded by America’s leading distillers, which has programs available for communities and families to reduce drunk driving. For more information regarding these programs, visit www.centurycouncil.org.